Winning is the priority for South Africa, not playing entertaining rugby, flyhalf Handre Pollard said in response to continued criticism of the Springboks’ style of play.
The world champions, who defeated the British & Irish Lions 2-1 in their recent series, have been roundly criticised for what is perceived as a boring style that focuses on kicking to win territory over expansive backline play.
However, with South Africa preparing to face Argentina in their second Rugby Championship fixture in Nelson Mandela Bay on Saturday, Pollard said getting the right results was all that mattered
“Everyone has got their way of playing rugby that they think is the right way,” Pollard told reporters.
“For us, it is not about entertaining. Test match rugby is about winning. At the moment, we are doing pretty well, so for now, if it’s not broken, there’s no need to fix it.
“We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing and people can criticise as much as they want. We believe in it and that’s the only thing that matters.”
The Springboks pride themselves on their set-piece and while the lineout is a particular strength Pollard said they were not focusing on the new trial ’50/22′ rule from World Rugby.
The rule allows attacking teams to get the lineout throw-in if a kick from their own half bounces once before going out in the opposition 22-metre area.
“We’ve had a discussion about it, but it’s not something that we’re going to go looking for,” Pollard said.
“If it happens, then it’s great because it’ll be a bonus, but we’re not going to change our kicking game.
“We’re going to stick to what we know and what we believe in. If the opportunity presents itself, we’ll go for it and possibly take it.”
South Africa beat Argentina 32-12 in their Rugby Championship opener at the same venue last weekend.
PatrickP
Roar Rookie
@Duane I tend to agree with your points, particularly about the clash of styles as long as the Boks aren't dominant, well observed. In all honesty I've resigned myself to the likelihood that the ABs will struggle the next couple of years and won't be winning the next world cup, that was sealed when extending Foster's contract. Given we have a very average coaching unit and an arrogant overarching body it may be a blessing in disguise to have a couple of years in the wilderness before a period of reflection. I agree we will lose to the Boks and in Europe and hand on heart, I wouldn't be upset if the Wallabies took out Bled III either.
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
Is Rassie going to make a 1 hour video complaining about the armchair ride his team is getting fron the officials against Argentina? It's like the 1960's all over again!
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Well done then Handre... Mission accomplished in fact zero entertainment achieved
Flyman
Roar Rookie
Dont know what you’re smoking man, but its bad shxt!
El Flash
Roar Rookie
Hahahahaha = Tick
El Flash
Roar Rookie
Hey Flyman, Would the Boks have beaten the B & I Lions at Twickenham ? The answer is NO !!, so home ground advantage counted for everything.
El Flash
Roar Rookie
Yep, but also Beat Georgia = tick Struggled to beat the B & I 3rd side = tick Have put rugby back 20 yrs because they've forgotten how to pass = tick
matt o'connell
Guest
JN, I've worked around the world in casino's for a decade and can safely say that if you go to the casino to win then you are a mug!
Duane's Beard
Guest
@Patrick Porter, 100% agree with that. The Boks vs AB clash of styles is what makes the games such great spectacles. The issue I am having is that some people are happy with the clash of styles but only if the Boks aren't dominant. This whole "saving rugby" strangely only seems to come up when there is a real chance that the Boks might beat the All Blacks. 100% agree with your coaching unit. Not picking Scott Robertson as AB coach was a huge blunder IMHO. Ian Foster is the Allistair Coetzee of NZ rugby and he is causing huge damage. I think the All Blacks have great talent but I think the coaching unit is way off and I am also sensing a culture of entitlement from some of the players. My prediction is Boks will beat All Blacks especially if game is not in NZ and I suspect the All Blacks are going to be beaten in Europe either once or twice. Aus is very weak at the moment and I think the ABS have a false confidence. It reminds me of when the Boks played a weak France under Allistair Coetzee and won comprehensively giving a false sense of confidence. I am not suggesting the All Blacks are as bad a Allistair Coetzee's Boks but I don't think they are the second best team in the world. My prediction is Boks and France will beat them and possibly Wales.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
She is much more willing than me to spend money to travel and watch rugby live. You have no idea how committed she is. Cities we traveled to to watch games, and we live near LA: Cardiff, London, Paris, Tokyo, more Cardiff, more London, Chicago, DC, Las Vegas…
Guess
Roar Rookie
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Guess
Roar Rookie
Says the biggest rugby clown They won't be anywhere without fans watching it
biltong
Guest
Historically England rugby has been a poor man's Springbok team :silly:
Chufortah
Guest
South African rugby - the new England. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
biltong
Guest
What is "winning" as opposed to winning?
biltong
Guest
Nope, Meyer was very conservative, remember he was the mastermind behind the Jake Ball rugby methodology, he started that in 2005 under the Bulls, won the 2007 Super Rugby tournament, then Frans Ludeke continued with that to win the Super Rugby tournament in 2009 and 2010. Jake White then continued that game plan until De Villiers took over in 2008, with whixh the Senior Bok players pressured him to continue that game plan when he wanted a more ball in hand approach. Then when Meyer came in he continued with the same plan and it got stale after two yesr, his win rates dropped dramatically after 2013. After two years he had a 70%+ win rate which dropped to around 62% when he left.
biltong
Guest
gave those stat on another thread just yesterday, not going to search it. However the stats that is relevant is under Rassie and Nienaber.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Now that definitely wasn’t the intention of my post :stoked: But hey it is an Australian page. But more seriously over decades I would classify the Aussie team as innovative , maximizing available talent and setting high standards.. Maybe not to the present team :unhappy: But time will tell..maybe a revisit to those values needed…remember the Boks had to tank 57 points to nil to NZ before realizing they actually had other strengths that needed to be made full use of and that running the ball from everywhere wasn’t for them.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Not just The Boks but yes it’s definitely more noticeable with them.. Now McBride and Co petitioning World Rugby to only allow subs for injuries apparantly to make the game safer when even a 6 year old will know that’s just rubbish. .. I recall World Rugby cynically changing rules at the ruck to counter Australia’s George Smith.
Lara
Guest
Thank goodness for the Boks n the way they play….all fair under the current rules, the way the game is officiated n how points are rewarded. Rugby Union can be boring, really boring , so if you criticise the Boks , then you are barking up the wrong tree.